Afghanistan Clash With Pakistan, UAE To Kick Off Asia Cup Prep

Afghanistan Clash With Pakistan, UAE To Kick Off Asia Cup Prep

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News18.com

Last Updated: August 27, 2025, 23:48 IST

Afghanistan face Pakistan and UAE in a T20I tri-series in Sharjah, prepping for Asia Cup 2025.

Rashid Khan is leading Afghanistan. (Picture Credit: X/@ICC)

Afghanistan are gearing up for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 by participating in a T20I tri-series against Pakistan and the UAE, starting Friday in Sharjah. This tournament provides the Afghan team a perfect chance to refine their strategies and gain crucial insights on Pakistan, one of their Asia Cup opponents, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

The selectors have maintained nearly the same squad for both events, with only Naveen-ul-Haq absent from the tri-series lineup. Abdollah Ahmadzai has been brought in to replace him in the 17-member squad. The 22-year-old fast bowler, who has taken 14 wickets in 10 T20s, is yet to make his international debut and has been named among the reserves for the Asia Cup.

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This tri-series marks Afghanistan’s first white-ball matches since the Champions Trophy ended in February 2025, offering a vital opportunity for the team to regain their rhythm.

A notable inclusion is mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar, who is poised to debut in T20Is during the tri-series. Ghazanfar joins a strong spin squad led by captain Rashid Khan, alongside seasoned players Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad.

The series also sees the return of opener Ibrahim Zadran, who last played T20Is in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Zadran was absent for Afghanistan’s last T20I series against Zimbabwe in December 2024. From that squad, left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote has been left out but is among the Asia Cup reserves.

The tri-series will start with a match between Afghanistan and Pakistan and follow a double round-robin format, where each team plays the others twice. The top two teams will compete in the final on September 7.

Should Afghanistan reach the final, they will have just one day of rest before starting their Asia Cup campaign against Hong Kong on September 9. The UAE’s first Asia Cup match is on September 10, while Pakistan begins their campaign on September 12.

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Afghanistan squad for UAE tri-series: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Abdollah Ahmadzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

(With ANI Inputs)

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First Published: August 27, 2025, 23:47 IST

News cricket Afghanistan Clash With Pakistan, UAE To Kick Off Asia Cup Prep

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